Bijapur: In a notable development, bus services connecting Maoist-affected Pamed area to Bijapur district headquarters has been restored after a significant gap of around 50 years, providing much needed relief to thousands of commuters residing in remote villages of Dharmaram, Kutur, Pamed and other adjoining areas.
The re-opening of the route has reduced the distance of Pamed from Bijapur by around 100 kilometers, providing relief to the local residents. The said route was used frequently by the villagers before the Maoist- insurgency gripped the entire south Bastar area in late 80s, forcing the locals to travel via Telangana.
Though the situation took a turn for good in recent years after security forces made significant inroads in the core areas of the reds, leading to reopening of the route and restoration of bus services subsequently.
A private bus service started on the route lately passes via Aaawapalli, Basaguda, Tarrem, Gundem, Kondapalli, Jidpalli and Dharmaram to reach Pamed. Further, an all-weather concrete road is also being built on the route by the Border Road Organisation (BRO).
The development has elated the locals who opined that the re-opening of the route will pave way for the holistic development of the area affected badly by the Maoist-insurgency since decades.
Re-opening of the direct route to Pamed has further paved way for a smooth supply of ration and other required materials for security personnel stationed at Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in the area, supplied earlier by air-dropping at Pamed airfield.
Hailing the development, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai in a social media post on X said “Our government is determined to eradicate the darkness of Naxalism (Maoism) and spread the light of peace and development in the state.”
नक्सलवाद के अंधकार को मिटाकर प्रदेश में शांति और विकास की रौशनी फैलाने हमारी सरकार संकल्पित हैं।#मीडिया_संवाद pic.twitter.com/o1InGtSlzz
— Vishnu Deo Sai (@vishnudsai) February 14, 2025
Located near the borders of Telangana, Pamed and adjoining areas were considered a hotbed of Maoist-insurgency till the forces improved their on ground presence by erecting a number of security camps in recent times.
Notably around 40 such camps were established by the forces in the area in last two year alone, thwarting the frequent unchecked movement of the ultras in the hinterlands.
The opening of security camps in interiors backed by continuous operations against the extremists, resulting in major successess for the forces has instilled a sense of security among the residents who are now aligning more with the welfare schemes of the government.
If reports are to be believed, once terrified by the decrees barring the villagers to participate in elections, the locals are now looking forward to actively participate in the upcoming panchayat polls, affirming their belief in democracy.
According to a senior official, more than 50 booths have been set up in extremely sensitive areas of Bijapur district for the panchayat polls scheduled to be held on February 17, 20 and 23. Sixty booths in sensitive areas and 25 in extremely sensitive places were also set up in neighboring Sukma district including villages where elections are to be held after a notable gap of four decades.
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